Cartier Roadster: Ready for a Good Time

The Cartier Roadster's defining feature is its tonneau case, making it a timeless dress watch. It's available with a mechanical or quartz caliber as a men's or women's watch. Features such as gold cases and diamond-set bezels increase its value.

Inspired by Classic Automobiles

Cartier first introduced the Roadster in 2001, making it one of the company's more modern watches. They have been producing the pilot's watch Santos since 1904 and the Tank since 1917. The Tank is now only available as a vintage watch. In 2012, Cartier also stopped producing the Roadster to the disappointment of many fans.

Like the Santos or the Tank, the Roadster is a dress watch that goes perfectly with a suit and tie. The opposite of a sports or diving watch, dress watches are suitable for both formal and festive occasions, such as the opera, business meetings, and receptions. Whether you wear it with a tux or a t-shirt is entirely up to you.

The Roadster was named after the open, two-seater cars that were popular in the 1950s and 60s. British companies such as Austin, Triumph, and MG were especially famous for manufacturing this type of automobile. The Alfa Romeo Spider, BMW 507, and Porsche 356 are also considered roadsters. Modern interpretations of the roadster are the Mercedes SLK and the Porsche Boxster. Cartier Roadsters don't only resemble the Roadster cars due to their design's sleek lines, however, they're also reminiscent of a vintage Roadster car's grille, especially the right side of the case with its exposed crown.

The Roadster is available as a three-hand watch as well as a tricompax chronograph. The chronograph's subdials are located at three, six, and nine o'clock, creating a harmonious V shape. An in-house caliber powers the watch.

The tonneau-shaped case is slightly elevated near the crown. This rise continues leftwards onto the watch glass. The domed glass creates a magnifier over the date display, making it easier to read. Cartier received praise for the date magnifier's harmonious integration in the overall design. Most versions are available with large Roman numerals in typical Cartier style. Alternatively, dials with Arabic numerals are available.

Cartier offers Roadsters in several sizes. The most popular men's model is 43 x 38 mm. Women's watches are usually 36 x 30 mm. The watch is waterproof to 100 m (10 bar), making it a suitable everyday watch.

Buying Advice

Are you looking for a dress watch with a tonneau case? Cartier's Roadster has prestige and an elegant design typical of this manufacturer.

Since Cartier no longer produces the series, you can only buy pre-owned Roadsters. However, most of the pre-owned models are in good or very good condition. A stainless steel automatic Roadster costs around 2,000 euros.

Versions with yellow gold cases and quartz movements can be purchased for 4,000 - 5,000 euros. The price range for this version varies greatly; yellow gold versions of the Roadster are available for over 10,000 euros, as are white gold versions.

Models adorned with diamonds easily reach this price range. A women's watch with a diamond-set bezel ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 euros. Rarer Roadsters, such as the men's rose gold version with a 50 x 50 mm case, cost over 20,000 euros.

The Jeweler of Kings

The Roadster series doesn't only feature watches though; perfume and eau de toilette can also be found under the Roadster name. Cartier offers an entire collection of luxury goods. Louis-François Cartier founded the company in 1847 when he took over his teacher's jewelry workshop. His grandsons made the family name famous worldwide. At the turn of the 20th century, Cartier was supplying European nobility with its jewelry. In 1904, the Santos became the first men's wristwatch produced by the company. Cartier now belongs to the Richemont Group (along with Baume & Mercier, Dunhill, IWC, Montblanc, and others). Aside from watches and jewelry, Cartier also offers leather goods, glasses, pens, and other luxury goods. Even today, Cartier still serves nobility: Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, wears a Cartier Ballon Bleu.